SEO: Brian Mitchell, NFL Star

Brian Mitchell, 44, experienced much success during his time in the NFL and his success continues today. In a recent interview, he explained how his familys advice has guided him through times of difficulty.

Mitchell tackles challenges

Former Redskin shares his tips for overcoming lifes greatest obstacles 321and were live! Its 2 p.m. and former Redskin, Brian Mitchell, co-hosts his radio show, Inside the Locker Room. The show wraps up, and in just a few hours Mitchell appears on
Brian Mitchell reporting for Comcast Sports Talk Live on Comcast Sportsnet. Photo source: Bleacher Report

Sports Talk Live on Comcast Sportsnet, just a typical workweek for retired NFL star, Brian Mitchell. While Mitchell, 44, has experienced much success in his life, the road has not always been easy. To overcome lifes challenges, Mitchell consistently looked to his family for advice.

(more)

Buckwalter. Mitchell. 2

Early life Born and raised in Plaquemine, La., Brian Mitchell lived with his parents, six older siblings. His extended family lived in neighboring houses. He recalls that a neighborhood where everyone took care of each other. Mitchells mother, Sophonia, filled the role of the sweet caregiving mom. She taught him the importance of charity and giving back. Brian, the youngest of seven, did not experience the life most youngest children do. His military father, Blanche, did not spoil his youngest son. He taught Mitchell that hard work earns success. Mitchell may not have liked this lesson at the time, but he reflects that his fathers parenting techniques truly shaped the person he would become. His fathers influence From elementary school to the present day, Mitchells father has been a key figure in his life. Blanche, died of heart problems in 1991, but his important life lessons remain close to Mitchells heart. You cant be good at everything, his father told him. (more)

I didnt mind playing with a little pain. Brian Mitchell

Buckwalter. Mitchell. 3 Mitchell said that his father encouraged him to play sports in fifthgrade. He believed sports would teach Mitchell to stay out of trouble and to deal with people. Mitchell did football, basketball, baseball and track in high school. Despite the importance of sports, his parents stressed that academics remain Mitchells first priority. The school said you had to have a 2.0 (GPA) to play, but in the Mitchell house, you had to have a 3.0, Mitchell said. With his parents support, Mitchell graduated in the top-ten of his class at Plaquemine High School and began looking for a college to play football. Mitchell also made his decision based on the schools academic program. Mitchell chose the University of South Western Louisiana, now called the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The university met both of his athletic and academic requirements. Mitchell liked that the school wanted to make him a well-rounded person by offering him one scholarship to play football, and one scholarship for civil engineering.

(more)

Buckwalter. Mitchell. 4 On to the pros Mitchell excelled both on the field and in the classroom. The NFL began recruiting Mitchell during his senior year. The Washington Redskins drafted Mitchell. With a few credits left unfinished, he made the decision to turn pro. Honoring his academic promise to his father, Mitchell went back five years later to earn his degree. After 10 years of playing for the Redskins, the team released Mitchell. The release created a difficult period of time for Mitchell. A friend of his gave him a book titled, Who Moved my Cheese, which changed his outlook on life. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Pro Bowl selection (1995) 3x All-Pro selection (1991, 1994, 1995) Super Bowl Champion (XXVI) NFL Alumni Kick Returner of the Year (1995) Wa. Redskins 70th Anniversary Team Wa. Redskins Ring of Fame NFLs Second All-Time Punt Return Touchdown Leader (with 9) Ranked 2nd on NFL Networks NFL Networks NFL Top-10 Return Aces.

Brian Mitchell, #30, returning a punt for the Washington Redskins.

Photo source: Doug Pensinger

(more)

Buckwalter. Mitchell. 5 The book also guided Mitchell in even more difficult times of his life. Beginning in the summer of 1990, he experienced a series of tragedies. During training camp in August, his brother was killed. Two months later, his grandmother and aunt died a day apart. In December, his father suffered a heart attack and in February, he died from heart complications. Mitchell looked to the wise words of his father during this time. Focus on the things you can take care of, Mitchell recalled his father saying. The death of his family members was something that he could not change, but his future shined bright before him. Mitchell said that his father also told him to not let anyone take his job, meaning he should play whenever he could. That advice stayed with him. During his 14 years in the NFL, Mitchell only missed one game. I didnt mind playing with a little pain, Mitchell said. Life Highlights - Having his four children - Voted State MVP in high school - Voted Top Quarterback in state - Educated high school kids on drug abuse with All-American team - Winning the Super Bowl in 1992 - Recently named 80 greatest Washington Redskins of all-time

(more)

Buckwalter. Mitchell. 6 After playing 14 years of professional football, Mitchell said that his body had enough. He retired, and continues to enjoy life with his wife and four children. Today, Mitchell looks to his parents advice daily. Whether he completes charity work and thinks of his generous mother, or runs from the radio station to the TV studio thinking of his ambitious father, Mitchell strives to utilize his parents advice to continue to tackle lifes challenges. ###

SEO: Brian Mitchell and Charity Brian Mitchell gives back

Sports commentator creates charity for underprivileged children By Corinne Buckwalter Brian Mitchell continues to live life by his parents standards. His mother always stressed the importance of giving back. Today, charity remains Mitchell volunteers for the an important aspect of Brian Mitchells honor of his father. work.
American Heart Association in

Photo source: The American Heart Associations website

My mom and dad were both givers, and I wanted to do something in their honor, Mitchell said. Mitchell founded the Brian Mitchell Foundation in 2001. Under this foundation he actively participates in organizations, such as, the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, and breast cancer, leukemia lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis awareness and research.

(more)

Buckwalter. Charity. 2 He involved himself with the following organizations for a special reason in his life: American Heart Association and multiple sclerosis for his father who passed away from a heart attack and had MS March of Dimes for his premature daughter The Special Olympics for his love for athletics Breast cancer for his mother Leukemia lymphoma for a close friend

Brian Mitchell learned the importance of generosity from his parents, and incorporates his lessons in his life today. When you have a good base, you can go out and make decisions on your own, Mitchell said. He said that he tries to raise his own children the way his mother and father raised him, with academics and generosity as a top priority in the Mitchell household. ###